A FINELY CARVED CORAL GROUP OF A MERMAID AND FISH, 20TH CENTURY China. Finely carved as a mermaid resting on a carp emerging from scrolling waves, with five further fishes amid the ripples. The coral of a bright orange-pink tone. The hardwood stand rising on ruyi-shaped feet, decorated with a scrolling band in fine silver inlay. (2)

Provenance: French trade. Old inventory number '11.43' to the base.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, minuscule nicks, possibly few minor losses to the natural and uncarved areas of the coral and maybe also to the fin of the mermaid. The carving is attached to the stand and cannot be removed.

Weight: 678 g (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 23.5 cm (incl. stand)

Mounted to a hardwood stand.

In Chinese culture, the earliest record of fish-like people can be found in the book 'Classic of Mountains and Seas' (Shanhaijing), dating from the 4th century BC, calling the creature lingyu or renyu. According to the book, lingyu are described as having a human face and a fish's body. Other aquatic creatures of humanoid appearance that cry tears that turn into pearls are mentioned in the books Shuyiji and Taiping Yulan.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's New York, 19 September 2014, lot 1311
Price: USD 20,000 or approx. EUR 25,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved coral 'phoenix and meiren' carving
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, similar manner of carving the figures, as well as the color of the coral. Note the size (18.2 cm).

This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

二十世紀珊瑚雕美人魚擺件
中國。雕刻精美的美人魚坐在一條從波浪中浮現的鯉魚上，在水中還有五條魚。明亮的橙粉色珊瑚。硬木底座，如意形足，底座鑲銀成卷葉紋。

來源：法國古玩交易，底座收藏舊標籤“11.43”。
品相：狀況極好，輕微磨損，微小的刻痕，珊瑚的自然和未雕刻區域和美人魚的鰭可能局部有輕微缺損。雕像固定在支架上，無法移除。

重量：678 克 (含底座)
尺寸：高23.5 厘米 (含底座)

硬木底座。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2014年9月19日，lot 1311
價格：USD 20,000（相當於今日EUR 25,000）
描述：珊瑚雕鳳凰和美人魚擺件
專家評論：比較相近的主題、相似的雕刻對象，以及珊瑚色。請注意尺寸(18.2 厘米)。